The Stepmom Side Podcast

How is being a stepmom to a widower different from joining a blended family after divorce? And how can a new partner honor the children’s mother while still asking for a place in the family? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explores a listener’s experience of dating a widowed father, feeling excluded from a close family dynamic, and burning out while trying to keep everyone happ...

Sometimes the argument about the dishes is about the dishes. Sometimes it’s about having to ask fourteen times and wondering whether your partner actually hears you. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia sits down with Kameran Alareqi, a Gottman certified marriage coach, to explore communication problems in marriage, emotional disconnection, and what it takes to feel close again—esp...

What does it mean to disengage as a stepmom—and can she step back without becoming cold, distant, or uncaring? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia explains how helping in a blended family can slowly turn into overfunctioning. A stepmom notices what needs to happen, prevents problems, keeps everyone organized, and takes on more because she is capable. Eventually, she becomes exhaus...

Why does a stepchild seem withdrawn, irritable, hyper, or resistant to house rules after returning from their other parent’s home? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia explores why transitions between two homes can be difficult for kids—and why a rough return does not automatically mean the child dislikes their stepmom or that something happened at the other house. Alicia explains...

Who should discipline the stepkids—and what should a stepmom do when her partner refuses to enforce the rules? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares what happened when her desire for a structured, cooperative household collided with her husband’s desire to avoid correcting his children during their limited time together. While he ran around doing everything for them—and ended...

If you’ve recently found yourself forgetting appointments, waking up drenched in sweat at 2 a.m., struggling to concentrate, or feeling completely overwhelmed by things you used to manage without a problem, it may not be a character flaw. It could be perimenopause. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia sits down with Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP, to unpack what really happens to w...

Back-to-school stress can expose an unequal division of labor in a blended family—especially when the stepmom is managing school supplies, schedules, transportation, meals, forms, and everyone’s emotions while her partner waits to be told what to do. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explains why resentment is rarely about one forgotten form or shopping trip. It often develops be...

What should a stepmom do when her stepchild refuses to complete homework—or when she cares more about missing assignments than her partner does? Homework battles in blended families are rarely only about schoolwork. Different expectations between homes, unclear stepparent roles, limited authority, and a lack of partner support can leave the stepmom managing assignments, checking the school portal,...

What should a stepmom do when the rules are completely different at each house? Different bedtimes, screen limits, homework expectations, chores, and consequences can make school routines especially difficult in blended families. Children may resist the rules, struggle on transition days, or repeatedly remind the stepmom that things are different at their mom’s house. In this episode of The Stepmo...

School events can trigger outsider syndrome for stepmoms. Especially when their partner’s ex and extended family will be there. Where should everyone sit? Should divorced parents and stepparents attend events together? What happens when a partner acts differently around their ex? And does a stepmom need to attend parent-teacher conferences to prove she cares? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Po...

Back-to-school planning can get complicated quickly in a blended family. Who buys the school supplies and clothes? Who completes registration forms, manages transportation, receives school updates, and pays for extracurricular activities? And how involved should a stepmom be when she is affected by these decisions but may not have decision-making authority? In this episode, Alicia shares how back-...

What if you don’t like your stepkids? It’s the question that stepmoms whisper to themselves and rarely admit out loud. In this episode, Alicia unpacks why these feelings show up, why they don’t make you a “bad stepmom,” and how to move through them without shame. You’ll learn: Why it’s normal to not always like your stepkids How societal expectations set stepmoms up for guilt Simple shifts to ease...

In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko sits down with certified stepfamily coach Darlene Sparks for an honest conversation about the realities of stepmom life—because “just love them like your own” is not exactly a complete instruction manual. Darlene shares her experience navigating identity loss, rejection, complicated family relationships, and feeling like an outsider in her...

Blended families don't become connected overnight—and honestly, nobody hands you a roadmap. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Ashley from The Blended Bond to talk about what actually helps blended families feel more connected. From awkward first family meetings and navigating transitions to chore systems, parenting teenagers, and learning to stop taking everyt...

Are you constantly wondering why your blended family doesn't feel like the happy, picture-perfect family you imagined? You're not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares why so many stepmoms struggle because they're chasing unrealistic expectations about what blended family life should look like. From instant love and immediate connection to...

Feeling unsupported by your husband or partner can make blended family life feel incredibly lonely. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia talks about why partner support is one of the biggest predictors of stepmom satisfaction and blended family success . Many stepmoms don't necessarily need perfection from their partners. They need partnership. They need to feel heard, valued,...

Do you feel resentful as a stepmom and then immediately guilty for feeling that way? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common but least talked about experiences in blended families: stepmom resentment . The truth is, resentment usually isn't about the kids. It's often the result of carrying too much emotional responsibil...

Feeling like an outsider in your own home as a stepmom? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explores why so many stepmoms struggle with belonging in blended families. She shares why outsider syndrome happens, the common traps stepmoms fall into, and practical ways to stop trying to earn your place and start feeling more secure in your role. Key takeaways: Why...

Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to prove yourself as a stepmom? If only you could just be more patient, more understanding, more involved, or more helpful, then maybe you'd finally feel accepted in your blended family? In this episode, Alicia dives into a struggle many stepmoms silently carry: the belief that they have to earn their place in their own home. Whether you&apo...

What should a stepmom do when her stepkids are disrespectful? Few things trigger a stepmom faster than being ignored, talked back to, rolled eyes at, or treated like she doesn't matter. When you're already questioning your role in the family, disrespect from a stepchild can feel deeply personal—and it can quickly create resentment, frustration, and conflict in your marriage. In this epis...

Does setting boundaries make you immediately feel guilty? Do you finally decide to say no, ask for space, or stop carrying everyone else's emotions… and then immediately wonder if you're being selfish? You're not alone. In this episode, Alicia is diving into why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable—especially for stepmoms who are used to people pleasing, over-functioning, and carryi...

Are you constantly chasing peace in your blended family… but secretly defining peace as “everything going perfectly”? In this episode, Alicia dives into one of the biggest mindset traps high-achieving stepmoms fall into: believing that peace and perfection are the same thing . From overthinking conversations to trying to control transition days, co-parenting dynamics, schedules, emotions, and ever...

Summer break sounds fun… until your house turns into chaos, the routines disappear, and you feel like you’re running a summer camp you never signed up for. In this episode, Alicia breaks down how stepmoms can create structure, maintain control, and protect their sanity during summer break—without turning into the “strict” or overwhelmed one in the house. If you’re already dreading the lack of rout...

Alicia dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally triggering experiences for stepmoms: why stepchildren suddenly act distant, avoidant, or completely different when their other parent is around. If you’ve ever felt ignored at pickup, brushed off in public, or like your relationship disappears the moment their other parent enters the picture… you are not imagining it. And more importantly...

Stepmother’s Day—did you even know it existed? In this episode of, Alicia dives into the emotional complexity of Stepmother’s Day—a holiday created in 2000 a nine year old to honor her stepmom. While the intention behind the day is meaningful, the reality for many stepmoms is… complicated. Alicia unpacks the mixed emotions stepmoms experience around Stepmother’s Day and challenges stepmoms to reth...